Digital Bangladesh was not built for rumours, says Hasina

M Humayun Kabir: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said she had not built a Digital Bangladesh for spreading rumours on social media.
She came up with the remarks during the foundation laying ceremony for the new underpass to be built near Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College on Dhaka’s Airport Road, reports bdnews24.com.
Addressing the students and guardians of the college and the rest of the nation, the Prime Minister said, “Do not listen to rumours. Digital Bangladesh has been built for our proper education. Not for spreading indecent words, false information and gossip. We must refrain from such things.”
“Our Bangalees are an excitable people. I will say one thing … social media. I built a Digital Bangladesh. Now everyone has a mobile phone. We now have modern 4G technology. We can go on Facebook, on YouTube, we have built this.”
She went on saying, “This technology is used to spread false information, rumours, and attempts to create disorder. Even older people, some of whom I have presented awards to myself, are spreading this gossip. This cannot be tolerated, whoever they may be. Do not believe rumours too easily.”
The prime minister also said that she would take a firm stance on those responsible for the deaths of the two Ramiz Uddin College students.
“It is unforgivable. The way the driver was driving recklessly and defying the law … he drove over the students. Some of them are still injured.”
“We will not forgive them. I will ensure that those involved in this accident will receive justice.”
On Jul 29, two students from the college, Diya Khanam Mim and Abdul Karim Rajib, were run over and killed by a Jabale Noor Paribahan bus on Dhaka’s Airport Road.
In response, students launched a nationwide protest calling for road safety.
Though the protests started peacefully, there were eventually clashes between police, alleged activists for the ruling Awami League and the protesters. The government says these clashes were triggered by rumours.
The government announced that it would accept the students’ nine-point demand and the cabinet gave its long-delayed approval to a new road transport law.
Meanwhile, Hasina has donated five buses to the college for transporting students.
Moreover, the government has also given Tk 2 million in compensation to the families of the dead students.